used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
anew
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
bonyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/
being very thin
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a young person of either sex
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
Derbyshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
expandingverbUS /ɪkˈspændɪŋ/
-ing form of “expand” — extend in one or more directions
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
fascinatedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtəd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
start firing a weapon
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
set up or found
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
a man of refinement
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
a young female
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
Johnson'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsənz/
possessive form of “johnson” — English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
landlady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
magicaladjectiveUS /ˈmædʒɪkəl/
possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
prescribedadjectiveUS /priˈskraɪbd/
set down as a rule or guide
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
shutteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌtərd/
provided with shutters or shutters as specified; often used in combination
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
snugadjectiveUS /snʌɡ/
offering safety; well protected or concealed
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading In the parlour he found Mr Johnson stretching his great bulk before a leaping fire and expanding in the warmth of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She now sat on one of Johnson's bony knees, while he told her a fairy tale in a portentous hollow voice.
which person or people
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows had not been shuttered, so the wild night was in visible contrast to the snug hearth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He told of a dragon, a virtuous dragon in reality a prince, who lived in a Derbyshire cave, and of how the little girl stumbled on the cave, found the dragon, realised his true character, and lived with him for a year and a day, which was the prescribed magical time if he were to be a prince again.
a late time of life
From this reading A small girl of five or six years, the landlady's child, had strayed into the room, and, fascinated by a strange gentleman, had remained to talk.
